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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What animal does Cameron remind Vic of?

2. Who does Vic ask Mr. Carpenter if Carpenter has met yet?

3. Where does Vic refuse to go with Melinda and Cameron in Part IV?

4. Who does Vic confront about the true nature of Carpenter's business in Part IV?

5. What does Vic show Don Wilson that Vic often works on in his garage?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Meller tell Vic that Melinda said at his party in Vic's absence?

2. How do the other partygoers react to the death inquiry of De Lisle?

3. Why does Don Wilson move out of town?

4. How do Vic's and Melinda's friends react to Melinda's behavior after De Lisle's death?

5. What does Melinda tell Vic that she will do late in Part IV that shocks him?

6. What are both Vic and Melinda happy to hear about Trixie?

7. What does Cameron play that grates on Vic's nerves in Part IV?

8. What does Melinda tell Trixie about De Lisle's death?

9. What does Melinda tell Vic that Carpenter concluded about Vic?

10. In Part III, who tries to help Melinda prove Vic is a killer besides the private investigator?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Highsmith describe the general social atmosphere of the Van Allens' town, Little Wesley? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 2

How does Highsmith describe Vic's state of mind before, during, and after De Lisle's murder? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 3

Why is the disdain and arrogance Highsmith highlights in Vic's character so central to his actions, especially towards the book's conclusion? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 522 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample